Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; (888) 999-1995, www.hotwatercasino.com. There's nothing modernist here. The hotel opened in April 2008, and it's out by Interstate 10, nine miles from downtown Palm Springs. But all 340 rooms are at least 550 square feet. Besides the casino and restaurant and spa, there's a 2,028-seat performance venue called the Show that opened in early 2009. Rooms begin at $89 and go up to $359.

Jackalope Ranch, 80-400 Highway 111, Indio; (760) 342-1999, www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com/. Somebody spent millions building and landscaping this enormous Southwest and barbecue restaurant, which opened in January. If you're near Indio, it's worth a look. My sandwich was good, not great. Dinner entrees are $22 to $39. In the bar and at lunch, sandwiches and tacos run $11 to $14.50.